Design–build renovation in the GTA

Design-build home renovations in Vaughan and the GTA

Renovations designed and built by one team.

Kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and legal basement renovations across the GTA. The same team draws the space, builds it and wires it — no handoffs between trades, no finger-pointing, one number to call.

  • TrustLicensed, insured and WSIB covered
  • On budgetA fixed price in writing before anything is demolished
  • On timeA dated schedule from demolition to the final clean
5.0 On Google, across 23 homeowner reviews
2011 Renovating in Vaughan and the GTA since our first project
Licensed Fully insured and WSIB covered — paperwork on request
One crew Design, construction and electrical handled in-house

What we do

The rooms we know how to build.

Every project runs through the same three people, from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. That is the whole reason the finishes line up.

All services

Not sure which one you need? Most projects start as one room and grow — tell us the room, we will tell you what it actually involves.

Get a free estimate

Another side of the business

We do not only build them. We own them.

A house can be income rather than a renovation — a first home a tenant helps pay for, a second unit in the one you already own, something to retire on. That is a different conversation, and we have had it with our own money.

How it works
  • 7 Houses converted by the owners themselves
  • 13 Suites rented out across them
  • $1,800–3,000 Monthly rent from a finished unit

Selected work

Finished rooms. Photographs, not renderings.

Every photograph here is a room we built, shot after the final clean. Scope and timeline are written next to each one.

All projects
Sunroom & Backyard Bliss

Featured project

Sunroom & Backyard Bliss

The client had fully renovated their home and the only outstanding pieces were the sunroom and backyard which had not been updated in some time. We redesigned both. In the sunroom, we retiled the floor with gorgeous wood-look tiles, refinished the ceiling with cedar planks, new skylights, fans, replaced the sliding doors with French doors, […]

City
Vaughan
Service
Full Home Renovations
Completed
September 2026
See the full project

Recent work in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Markham, Toronto, Aurora, Bradford, Innisfil, Barrie, Alliston and Cobourg.

Browse all projects

How it works

You will always know what happens next.

Most renovation stress is not about dust. It is about not knowing. Five steps, the same on every project.

How long it usually takes

Bathroom
3–5weeks
Kitchen
7–10weeks
Basement renovation
9–12weeks
Legal basement suite
10–14weeks
Full home
4–6months
01

Consultation

We come to you, measure, listen and talk through what is realistic — including the budget. Free, and there is no pitch at the end of it.

02

Design & selections

The layout is drawn and we work with you to pick real materials — slabs, tile, cabinetry, hardware — so nothing is a surprise later.

03

Fixed written quote

An itemised quote and a schedule with dates. What is included is written down. What is not included is written down too.

04

Build

One crew, protected floors, cleaned up at the end of every day, and a weekly update with photos so you can follow it from work.

05

Walkthrough & warranty

We walk the space together, write the deficiency list, fix it, and hand over your warranty and the manuals for everything installed.

Reviews

Homeowners, in their own words.

Most people in the GTA get four or five quotes before they commit. Below are the ones who picked us, in the words they used on Google.

Leave a review
5.0

23 reviews on Google

Linda

1 month ago

We recently contracted SBD to work us on a cottage renovation project. It was a pleasure to work with Danielle on the design and the job. She understood our needs and worked with us to finalize the perfect arrangement of the furniture, adding a new door to our room. On the construction side, we worked closely with Vlad and Denise and several of their contractors to complete the project and record time. We were under a very tight timeline, and Vlad and Alex came through for us. We had to remove walls, rebuild framing, do new drywall painting, install new doors and lights and cabinetry. All was done to our complete satisfaction. We Would highly recommend working with Danielle and Vlad and Alex on any projects. We plan to work with them again next year on an additional renovation at our cottage. A great team really enjoyed working with them

Denys Goncharov

2 months ago

Great company to work with as a subcontractor .Vlad is professional, organized, and easy to communicate with throughout the project. He values quality workmanship and treats his trades with respect. Thank you, Vlad, for the opportunity to work together. I look forward to future projects and highly recommend Surfaces By Design Ontario.

Jeffrey Harrison

2 months ago

The team did an absolutely amazing job! After dealing with a bad tenant, the SBD team really helped put me at ease with their quality work and professionalism. Would use again in a heartbeat, more than happy to recommend to anyone!

Julianna Iavarone

2 months ago

Surfaces by Design has been absolutely amazing. When we first viewed our rental home, they were still putting the finishing touches on the renovations. We were already impressed, but when we arrived on move-in day, we were genuinely shocked by how perfect everything looked.

Every person we've dealt with has been friendly, professional, and a pleasure to work with. Their craftsmanship is beautiful, and it really shows in the quality of their work. We couldn't be happier with our experience!

kelly bellot

2 months ago

This is our 3rd renovation project with Surfaces By Design Ontario. The last 2 projects were so successful that we did not think twice to ask Vlad to work with us on renovating our unfinished basement. The transformation from start to finish was seamless and exceeded our expectations. The project flowed smoothly and efficiently thanks to the expertise, dedication and commitment of the team. Despite some changes and adjustments we made along the way, Vlad and his team were very patient and flexible to make the requested changes in support of our vision for this project to ensure we were happy with the end results. There was consistent clear communication and organization throughout the project. More importantly, everyone who entered our home were trustworthy and respectful which was extremely reassuring. Vlad is a perfectionist and takes pride in his work, he cares about the finished project as much as his clients. I would highly recommend Surfaces By Design and I’m looking forward to another future renovation project with Vlad and his team!

GARY Rubinoff

6 months ago

Vlad's work is excellent, right on budget, and right on time. Easy to work with, everything left nice and clean! Done a few projects, looking forward to the next !

Loretta P

6 months ago

Our dream kitchen came true!

This is my second renovation project with Surfaces By Design Ontario. The first project was so seamless that I was confident in Vlad and his team to work with us on the second project in our home for our kitchen renovation. My kitchen was transformed into my dream kitchen with the dedication and expertise from Vlad and his team. The kitchen was completely demolished and the transformation from start to finish was seamless which exceeded our expectations. We were living in our home during the renovation and throughout the project the team was continuously cleaning and keeping the working area safe. It was completed within the timeframe specified and very efficiently with minimal disruption to our family and home. There was consistent clear communication and organization throughout the project. I was always informed of when and who would be coming to my home to complete the work. Vlad and his team provided a high level of service, quality, expertise and dedication. More importantly, Vlad and his team were always responsive, trustworthy and respectful which was very reassuring. We went on a one week vacation during our renovation and we had peace of mind that our home renovation continued to run smoothly and Vlad personally ensured it did. The end result of my dream kitchen was due to the expertise of teamwork and primarily because of Vlad’s patience, pride and perfection! I would highly recommend Surfaces By Design and I’m looking forward to another future renovation project with Vlad and his team!

Yan Krupnik

7 months ago

Professional, detail oriented, organized, and an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish!

We recently worked with Surfaces by Design on a complete overhaul of two bathrooms and had a fantastic experience throughout the entire process.

Vlad was extremely professional the whole way through. He is detail oriented, organized, resourceful and always on time. He communicated clearly, stayed on top of everything, and made this renovation feel smooth and well managed. (which anyone with experience knows can be very rate!)

He brought in a great team that delivered high quality work, on time and on budget. The craftsmanship and attention to detail really show in the final result.

We truly enjoyed working with Vlad and would highly recommend Surfaces by Design to anyone looking for a reliable and professional renovation company. We are already looking forward to working with him again on our next project!

Sigal Shamir

8 months ago

I highly recommend Surfaces by Design, they recently renovated a couple of bathrooms and did a great job
Vlad is reliable, patient and a pleasure to work with!

Ronnie Natra

2 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Vlad on a client project. As an interior decorator, I want contractors to be attentive to my requests and work with me to meet the design objectives, and I feel that he and his team did just that. Whenever issues arose on-site, Vlad was quick to reach out, ensuring that we could address and resolve any concerns promptly and efficiently. It was a pleasure working together.

Jerett Lee

2 years ago

We hired Surfaces by Design team to do our reno and can't say enough about how positive the design consultation experience has been so far. Danielle patiently listened to all our disperate ideas and then distilled all that into a beautiful 2d/3d design of the kitchen, family room and 2 bathrooms. 2d/3d designs really helped us visualized what the new space could look like and allowed us to make further tweaks to finalize the design. Danielle also provided in-store consultation helping us pick the right materials for the design we settled on. Danielle is great at incorporating the latest trends into the needs of the client, providing a high level of confidence that the design choices we're making doesnt end up being out of date. Overall we wouldn't hesitate to recommend Danielle's design expertise to anybody looking to upgrade their home!

Yael Natra

2 years ago

I had the pleasure of working with Surface By Design.
The project was while leaving in the house and they came a day before starting, to prep the house and cover other areas to minimize dust and damage. Vlad is very detailed oriented and pays attention to everything.
Alex is the best!! electrician. Does amazing job, attentive and pleasure to work with.

Efrat Karny-Nir

2 years ago

I highly recommend Surfaces by Design. Vlad did for us a full renovation project for our new house. The level of work and dedication was extra ordinary. Vlad is perfectionist and it is very important for him that the outcome is highest quality. We didn't need to supervise anything, as we could totally count on him and the most professional contractors he works with. We are so happy with our new master bathroom, living room design, bathrooms vanities and many more things that Vlad and his team did for us!!

Olha

2 years ago

We recently completed our two bathrooms and front entryway with Surface By Design Ontario Group, and its experience was transformative. The beginning and until the end process was seamless. A designer with great expertise and knowledge of the product, its availability on the market and good taste helped us shape our bathroom and front entryway styles based on our preferences and budget. She listened to us and had great suggestions of important points for the design to be more practical and useful. We, a family of three, had no problem sharing the space during the renovation, as the renovation team was punctual, and kept distraction to a minimum. The team was very flexible to adapt if any new issues arose. The quality of work is at the highest level- clean, all touches are finished, no mess. The most outstanding aspect was the excellent customer service and communication between us and the construction team. As for budget, our family agreed- money well spent. Therefore, the finished quality is exceptional.
We would recommend Service By Design Ontario to anyone who is planning to update their homes to make it a more enjoyable place to live.
Mike, Mark and Olga.

Marianna Keselman

2 years ago

Surfaces by Design has been my greatest experience with a contractor for home improvement renovations ever. I hired Vlad from Surfaces by Design for couple of bathroom redoes. From initial consultation the pricing process the advise, and the execution was professional with a lot of care. In each stage the project manager was there to double check the work and help me navigate throughout the entire process with ease and peace of mind with a clear schedule and great laboured workers to execute my vision.
I am extremely happy with the renovation of my bathrooms. This added great value to the property. Would absolutely recommend Surfaces by Design for any Reno.

Lor R

2 years ago

We worked with Surfaces By Design on a bathroom and laundry room renovation. I was dreading this renovation project but Surfaces By Design made the experience a seamless and a very positive one. We are extremely happy with the end result and it exceeded our expectations. The project was completed in a timely manner with the highest of quality and workmanship, ensuring all safety and regulation codes were adhered to. At different stages we were consulted to make decisions and given expert advice with different options to meet our needs and budget. Vlad and his team are very respectful, patient and trustworthy. We would confidently and highly recommend Surfaces By Design and we are looking forward to our next renovation project with them!

Renat Shaydullin

2 years ago

reliable, on-time, very detailed in their work. Thank you Surfaces team.

Zora Asanin

2 years ago

Over the past 2 years, Vlad and Danielle with their team completed three projects for our family:

1. The first project was a basement renovation including drywall, flooring and finishing. The project was completed on time and on budget. The crew was especially aware of the elderly person residing on the premises and took all precautions to limit the amount of dust by cleaning the workplace daily and reporting on progress and next steps.

2. This summer after a torrential rainfall we noticed a leak on the ceiling of the kitchen. Hoping to minimize the damages we called Surfaces By Design who responded the same day to assess the situation. The roof was inspected and loose tiles repaired, the wet section of the ceiling was removed and left open for a few days to confirm that the roof leak had been fixed. They managed the many trades and the work was completed at a very reasonable price. They also followed up a few months later to confirm that everything was still fine.

3. The most recent project involved the design of our family room. The family room and kitchen are one open space so consideration had to be given to both spaces in the selection of furniture, fireplace and accent wall. Our idea was to have the fireplace as the main focal point, a place to gather with family and friends. We knew the feeling we wanted to experience in this new space but had no idea what that looked like. Danielle and Vlad were so patient with us. They took time to get to know us and understand our vision for the space. They offered both practical and design considerations including trends. By the end of our first meeting we were confident that they would be able to translate our vision into the dream space we wanted. They designed it and Vlad worked with the various trades to ensure the installation of the project was seamless. They met timelines and made site visits to make sure all the measurements taken in the design phase actually fit the space. Their recommendations were excellent and they provided solutions when adjustments had to be made. All our calls were returned in a timely manner and they kept us informed about the progress including unexpected challenges. We found them and their team professional, hardworking, flexible, conscientious and did outstanding workmanship always leaving the space clean and tidy. Danielle was instrumental in our furniture, and decorative choices. She has a keen eye for colour and design.

All in all – this was a great experience and we highly recommend Surfaces By Design if you want a team with great work ethic, who are very personable, knowledgeable, creative and professional. They care about their work and customer satisfaction. The team is responsive, creative and has access to a number of well experienced trades and suppliers carrying the same values.

We look forward to working with them again for our next project.

Jayz

3 years ago

Very pleased with the overall job. Great to work with, clean and reasonably priced. Couldn’t have asked for a better team. My ceiling looks wonderful. Can’t wait to do the next Reno with Surfaces by Design.

Lisa

3 years ago

Beautiful tile design and installation for our new bathroom. You know you can rely on the best pricing and quality of work. This team is amazing - worth the contact!!

Pavel Gulansky

3 years ago

Such a delight walking into our new kitchen and bathroom thanx to this wonderful team!
It was our first time remodeling and we weren't really sure of what can be achieved, and so the team took us through all the options, layouts and designs possible for our budget.
They absolutely brought a breath of fresh air to our home and we couldn't recommend their work more.

Thank you Surfaces By Design Ontario!

Sinziana Marchidanu

3 years ago

Amazing design and reno services. Highly recommend!

Dennis Harrison

3 years ago

An excellent group to work with. Their design team is fabulous. We really liked that they took the time to understand our needs and provided great ideas on how we could make our bathrooms really pop. We also thought that the quality of their workmanship was great. We'd definitely use them again and have already recommended them to friends.

Reviews come straight from our Google Business Profile.

Read all 23 on Google

The team

The people who will actually be in your home.

No project manager you have never met, no crew that changes halfway through. Three owners — and all three are on your job.

The family behind it
Danielle Portnik, owner and creative director of Surfaces by Design Ontario Design

Danielle Portnik

Owner & Creative Director

Designs the space and runs the selections with you — layout, slabs, tile, cabinetry, hardware. Nothing is ordered before you have seen it in person.

Vlad Portnik, owner and general contractor at Surfaces by Design Ontario Build

Vlad Portnik

Owner & General Contractor

Runs the site and the schedule, with the eye for finish that catches the millimetre most people would miss. If a date moves, you hear it from him the same day.

Alex Portnik, owner, general contractor and master electrician at Surfaces by Design Ontario Electrical

Alex Portnik

Owner & General Contractor

Master Electrician. Handles the wiring, the lighting layout and the ESA permits — the parts of a renovation nobody sees and everything else depends on.

It started in 2011 with one rental property of our own. We have renovated every home since the way we renovated that one — because our name is on it and we live twenty minutes away.

Meet us on site

Licensed & covered

Paperwork you can ask to see.

Licensed & insured

Fully insured for liability on every site. Certificates are sent with your quote, before anyone starts.

WSIB covered

Our crew is covered. If a worker is injured in your home, it is not your liability and not your problem.

Fixed written quote

Itemised and signed. Changes only happen when you approve them in writing — the price does not drift.

Workmanship warranty

Written warranty on our labour, plus the manufacturer warranties on everything we install. In writing, at handover.

Questions

Asked before every project.

If yours is not here, ask. You will get an honest answer, including when the answer is that we are not the right fit.

Ask us anything 647-518-6459One of us picks up, seven days a week Or send us a message on WhatsApp
A full main-bathroom renovation in the GTA typically lands between $20,000 and $25,000, and a large primary ensuite with a custom shower and slab surfaces runs higher. The range depends on the size of the room, the materials you choose and whether plumbing moves. We break the numbers down properly at the measure, and your own quote is itemised so you can see where the money goes.
Seven to ten weeks on site for most kitchens, plus four to eight weeks before that for design, selections and cabinetry lead times. The cabinets and the countertop template are almost always what set the date — not the crew. We build the schedule backwards from those two things and give you the dates in writing.
Yes. Where a permit is required — structural changes, basement suites, additions, most plumbing relocations — we arrange the drawings, file the application and meet the inspectors. Electrical work is filed with the ESA. You do not deal with the city.
Yes — that is one of the things we do most. A legal second unit has to satisfy ceiling height, egress windows, fire separation, interconnected alarms and parking requirements, and it needs a permit and final inspection. We assess whether your basement can meet those requirements before you spend anything on design.
Fixed for the scope you sign. Costs move for exactly two reasons: you change your mind, or we open a wall and find something that has to be corrected — knob-and-tube, rot, a drain that is not to code. Either way you get the number in writing and approve it before we do the work.
Vaughan, Woodbridge, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Markham, Bradford, Innisfil and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area — roughly an hour from our shop in Vaughan. If you are just outside it, call and ask; the answer is usually yes.
For a single bathroom or a basement, almost always. For a kitchen, most families stay and use a temporary setup we help you plan. For a full-home renovation, you will usually want to be out for at least part of it — we will tell you honestly which weeks are livable and which are not.

Start here

Tell us about the room. Five questions, about a minute.

You get a call back from one of the owners within one business day, and the first visit is free — measurements, ideas and an honest read on the budget before anyone talks about a contract.

  • FreeIn-home consultation, no obligation
  • 1 dayTypical time to hear back from one of us
  • FixedWritten, itemised quote before work starts
Call Free estimate